The Old Town General Store’s stock includes boxed water from a Grand Rapids company; Higher Grounds, a fair-trade, organic coffee roasted in Traverse City; organic beef; candy and gelato from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor; and a selection of handmade body and facial products.

Five new and two relocated businesses in Old Town celebrated ribbon cuttings with Mayor Virg Bernero last week.

According to excerpts from the article:

The businesses, each of which has opened or re-opened in the past nine months, include Linda J. Beeman Studio, Salon 1131, Old Town Marquee, Portable Feast, Bradly’s Home and Garden, Michigan Historic Preservation Network and Michigan Community Resources.

The Lansing Economc Area Partnership received $500,000 from the state for a small business incubator.

According to excerpts from the story:

Lansing Economic Area Partnership Inc. received the funds from the Michigan Strategic Fund, an arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., for its work managing a network known as the Lansing Regional SmartZone. The SmartZone is a defined area of economic development, created out of state law, that is intended to draw technology firms near universities.

The Portland Party Store and Pizzeria reopened on Dec. 3, offering a variety of pizza and beverage choices as before. The store is under the ownership of brothers Adam, Alexander and Ted Keusch, who have brought in their own touches to the business.

A new Greenlight Business Model Competition will come to East Lansing in the spring.

According to excerpts from the article:

This event will bring entrepreneurs from all over Michigan to the East Lansing area to pitch their ideas to an amazing panel of judges with chances of winning a total of $50,000 in cash prizes along with networking with angel and venture capital investors from throughout the state.

Business incubators are on the rise in the Lansing area, spurring local business growth.

According to excerpts from the article:

For four years, dozens of entrepreneurs in such fields as information technology and biotechnology have cycled through what’s known as the Technology Innovation Center — 6,500 square feet near the corner of Grand River Avenue and Charles Street — in search of low rent and help to turn their dreams into startup companies.

Meridian Township was named one of eight top communities for entrepreneurial growth and economic development in Michigan by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research.

According to excerpts from the article:

"I’m thrilled by the fact that the township received an Outstanding Community Award in 2012, and that we received a five star rating for the third consecutive year," said Rick Brown, Meridian Township’s associate planner.

The eCities research surveyed 114 communities from 40 counties in Michigan that are home to 34 percent of Michigan residents and nearly half of its college graduates.

Wednesday, October 17th marks the grand opening. Chef Tony Maiale and Nina Santucci bring their focus on local Michigan foods and products to the world of fine dining with their tapas-style restaurant, located at 4480 S. Hagadorn Road within The Hamptons mixed-use apartment complex near Mount Hope.

The forthcoming restaurant, Red Haven is the next venture to spring from an area food truck.

According to excerpts from the article:

Red Haven, The Purple Carrot’s sophisticated younger relative, will offer upscale small plates made with mostly Michigan ingredients to what is expected at first to be mainly a dinner crowd. The restaurant could open within weeks in The Hamptons of Meridian, a mixed-use development near Mt. Hope and Hagadorn roads in Meridian Township.

This year's Startup Weekend in Lansing will be hosted by the NEO Center.

According to excerpts from the story:

The event begins Friday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at the NEO Center, located at 934 Clark St. in Lansing.

Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas Friday evening. Attendees vote for the best ideas, then form teams to further develop the business ideas before pitching their plans to investors and "thought leaders" Sunday evening.

Michigan State's first food truck debuted this month during an MSU football game.

According to excerpts from the article:

The Eat At State On-The-Go truck is MSU’s first mobile food vendor and hopefully will appeal to MSU community members whose needs were not being met with stationary cafeterias and Sparty’s convenience stores, said Bruce Haskell, associate director of Residential Dining.

A new home-brewing supply store called opened in early August called That’s How We Brew near Frandor.

According to excerpts from the article:

“Our whole idea is to expand people’s education on crafting beer and to create a user-friendly, casual environment,” store owner Patrick Brazil said. “We will have a lot of products for the very experienced brewer to the intermediate brewer to the beginners.”

The store specializes in outfitting buyers with everything they would need to make their own individual brew.

Great Lakes Olive Oil at Eastwood Towne Center is a family business looking to fill the local niche market for olive oil and balsalmic vinegars.

According to excerpts from the story:

Elyse Lee, her sister, Elexis Meloy, and their mother, Terri Lee, opened their first Great Lakes Olive Oil Co. store in 2010 in Frankenmuth, selling a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Two years later, they’ve opened a second store at Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Township.